Spring Wheat Harvest at Near-Record Pace

By CnAgri2012-08-16 19:43:04 Print

Harvest of the U.S. spring wheat crop continues to move forward at a near record pace. Precipitation in some areas did delay harvest a bit, but still 65 percent of the crop has been harvested. Harvest is complete in South Dakota and nearly complete in Minnesota with 92 percent of the crop harvested. In North Dakota nearly three-fourths of the crop is harvested and harvest progress in Montana is 30 percent complete. Producer reports continue to indicate above average yields and USDA raised their average yield in the August report from 40.4 to 42.8 bushels per acre.

Samples continue to arrive at the NDSU crop quality lab to be analyzed for quality characteristics. So far, about 30 percent of the samples have been analyzed. Average protein this week is higher at 14.7 percent, with a range of 12 to 18 percent throughout the region. Test weight remains the same as last week at 60.9 pounds per bushel (80.1 kg/hl) and thousand kernel weight is slightly lower at 28.9 grams. Total defects stand at one percent with most of that being shrunken and broken kernels. The crop currently grades a No. 1 Dark Northern Spring with average vitreous content of 79 percent.

Harvest of the Northern durum crop is 36 percent complete in North Dakota and 40 percent in Montana. Initial reports indicate strong yields and good quality. Durum samples have just started to arrive at the quality lab at NDSU to be analyzed, but early samples indicate higher than average protein and test weight. More detailed quality data will be available next week.